That Girl (That Girl, #1)(40)

I decide to send him a quick text. My heart is a little sad he hasn’t texted me all day, but I know he’s really busy.



Me: 30 Minutes



I wait, and no response from him, so I stare at the phone, willing it to beep back at me. Then after checking in on some tables I sneak another peek, and still no response. He’s just busy, he’s busy, I keep telling myself to calm my mind, but every time I almost convince myself, I think about all the times he’s on his phone texting when he’s with me.

The sound of the door opening and another crowd of patrons entering draws my attention. Monica. Monica is leading a group of people to the largest booth in the restaurant. My eyes immediately scan each person to see if Lincoln is with her. Deep down, I know he wouldn’t be, but my brain always likes to remind me how people have hurt me in the past.

Then my stomach drops when reality strikes me. I have to wait on her. My phone finally dings as I round the corner to take menus to her table. Sneaking back around the serving bar I take a quick look.



Lincoln: Hey, cutie pie! I’m on my way. Mind if I ask Tiny & Jewels to tag along?



Me: no it’s fine



Mixed emotions swirl around in my head thinking about Lincoln not texting me all day, Monica sitting in a booth glaring at me, and now Lincoln wanting to bring friends along. I love Tiny and Jewels from the little I know about them, but is Lincoln already tired of me, and needs to fill a void? Does he think it would be easier to cut things off if they are here?

My phone catches my attention again, and I know I should be giving Monica’s table their menus.



Lincoln: Are you okay?



I truly don’t know what to answer, so I throw the phone back onto the shelf and head to the booth with menus in hand. Mentally, I berate myself for throwing the phone. I need to be more careful with it.

“Hi, welcome to Boone’s. Here are some menus. I’ll be back in a sec to grab your drink orders.” I keep it short and sweet and try to get away without making eye contact or any unnecessary conversation with Monica.

About ten steps away, I hear her voice, “Um, waitress. I thought your name was Oakley. What’s up with Jodie on your shirt?”

“Um, just waiting on one with my name on it.”

I hear the ding of the door and know new customers are in the diner, but can’t turn away before she strikes me way below the belt.

“I had to see this for myself. I’m still in shock that Lincoln Wilks would date a no-name waitress. Unbelievable.”

Stunned, I turn around to head to another table and see Lincoln holding a huge bouquet of flowers with Tiny and Jewels by his side. And by the look on his face, he heard every single word she broadcast to the diner.

Swallowing down all the pain Monica just delivered, I continue walking, and when I pass by Lincoln and his friends, I offer a friendly smile.

“Hey, guys, just have seat, and I’ll be with you in a sec.”

I slam the kitchen door behind me and look up to the new cook staring at me with a perplexed expression.

“Sorry, I just need a second,” I say.

“Hang in there. You only have fifteen minutes left of your shift,” he says.

The last thing I want to do is hang in there or go out and face that bitch. I’ve never once had the desire to spit into someone’s food until hers.

The kitchen doors squeak open, and I look up from the shelf I’m leaning on to see Lincoln.

“I’m sorry,” he offers.

“It’s not your fault. Please just leave me alone.”

“Oakley,” he says.

“I said leave me alone.”

“You need to get out of here now,” the cook hollers to Lincoln.

Turning away from Lincoln, I bury my face in the shelf and wish a giant black hole would swoop me up for good, leaving me no choice to run, or stay, or love, or hurt. It would all just be over in a matter of moments. That’s what I want.

“Order up.”

Fifteen minutes. I can do this. Jenni, strengthen your inner Jenni, hold your head high, and serve those motherf*ckers their food.

“Hey, guys,” I say as I approach Lincoln’s table.

“Hi,” Jewel says.

“Sorry,” I whisper to Lincoln, “I’m just trying to make it through the rest of my shift.”

Leaning over, I kiss him on the lips and feel his hands grab my ass. I’m not a rocket scientist, but I’m pretty sure this is not something a boss would approve of and I give zero f*cks. My Jenni came out to play.

Standing back up, I ask, “What are we eating?”

A voice from Monica’s booth shouts, “We were here first.”

“Shut the f*ck up,” Tiny bellows.

His deep voice makes me jump a little.

Lincoln turns around, facing the booth, and says, “Maybe if you weren’t dragging around such a bitch you might get better service.”

The whole booth erupts in laughter, and I’m dying to see Monica’s reaction, but I refuse to turn around and give her the satisfaction of my attention.

Lincoln drags me down into his lap while I take their orders.

“I know what you want, Mr. Wilks,” I say, writing down his usual.

“I want the whole f*cking menu,” Tiny says.